The updated Tesla Model 3 Highland arrived in August 2023 with a range of welcome upgrades, along with one, or depending on who you ask two, changes that proved far more divisive.

More: Tesla’s Longest Range EV Is Here But Not For You

Aside from the removal of the gear selector stalk, one of the most debated changes was Tesla’s decision to eliminate the traditional turn signal stalk in favor of steering wheel buttons, mirroring the approach used in the Model S and Model X. After nearly two years of customer feedback, the company has chosen to bring the stalk back, at least in the Chinese market.

The official configurator in China now shows the turn signal stalk as standard equipment across all Model 3 trims. For existing owners who never warmed up to the steering wheel buttons, Tesla is also preparing a factory-backed solution that goes beyond aftermarket fixes.

Factory-Backed Retrofit

Beginning in mid-September, an accessory called the “Model 3 Steering Wheel Turn Signal Lever Modification” will be offered through Tesla’s online shop and app in China. Priced at ¥2,499 ($349), the upgrade must be installed at a Tesla Service Center, where technicians will fit the stalk using specialized tools.

Unsurprisingly, the stalk design looks nearly identical to the one on the Model Y Juniper, which is slimmer and more streamlined than the pre-facelift Model 3 version. The upgrade also involves fitting a new steering wheel without turn signal buttons, with Tesla offsetting costs by recycling the components returned by customers.

Tesla

Compatibility and Rollout

Initially, the accessory will only work on Model 3 Highland vehicles produced after February 7, 2025. Tesla has confirmed it will eventually expand compatibility to all Highland units. Considering the Model 3’s role as a global bestseller, it seems likely that similar offerings will eventually reach Europe and North America.

More: Tesla’s Screens Are About To Get Unreal Graphics

We don’t know whether the company plans to retrofit the Cybertruck, Model S and Model X with turn signal stalks in the future. For now, Tesla appears to be focusing on high-volume cars where customer sentiment has been strongest.

Aftermarket alternatives

During the two years without a factory option, third-party companies stepped in to fill the gap. Enhance Auto, for example, launched its own retrofit called S3XY Stalks, which gained traction among owners looking for a more traditional control setup.

Tesla has just launched a new version of the Model 3 in China, and it has the longest driving range of any vehicle in the automaker’s lineup. The new model, previously referred to as the Model 3+, is now simply branded the Model 3 Long Range, offering an impressive CLTC range of up to 830 km or 516 miles.

Read: New Model 3+ Isn’t What You Think It Its. It’s Better

As you probably could have guessed, this isn’t a special version of the Model 3 built from the ground up. However, it is the first version in China to come standard with a 78.4 kWh NMC battery from LG, paired to an electric motor with 302 hp (225 kW). The regular Model 3 has a less powerful 260 hp (194 kW) motor.

Understanding the CLTC figures

It’s important to note that the CLTC, or China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, is usually more generous than the WLTP cycle. This is because it’s designed to mimic driving in congested Chinese cities, meaning it includes more frequent stops and moments of deceleration where an EV can use regenerative braking.

We don’t know yet if Tesla has any plans to sell this Model 3 version elsewhere, but if it does, the range figure will inevitably drop.

Performance and pricing

It’s not just the driving range of the Model 3 Long Range that’s impressive. It can hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in a very respectable 5.2 seconds. It’s also been priced very competitively, starting at 269,500 yuan or roughly $37,500.

That’s roughly 14 percent more than the base Model 3 in China, which offers a 634 km (394 miles) range on the CLTC cycle. If only we could get a Model 3 with this much range, and for this price, here in the US.

Tesla likely launched this new version in China because that’s where it’s facing the fiercest competition. Last year, Xiaomi introduced its SU7, and in range-focused Pro guise, it has a CLTC range of 830 km (516 miles) too, but it does rely on a much larger 94.3 kWh battery pack.

Compared with their predecessors from a decade ago, today’s EVs go further, charge faster and have far more charging stations to choose from, but some would-be buyers still cite range anxiety as a reason for not going electric. And the results of a new study investigating the real range of EVs currently on sale suggests those fears are entirely justifiable.

The Australian Automobile Association (AAA) picked five EVs from a mix of brands as part of its government-funded four-year test designed to arm the nation’s car buyers with honest data. After subjecting each of the electric cars to a real-world driving route it found one of models delivered 23 percent less range than its maker claims.

Related: After 100K Miles, VW’s EV Barely Lost Range Thanks To One Trick

That car, the BYD Atto 3, only achieved 229 miles (369 km) before needing a recharge, representing a 69-mile (111 km) shortfall on the Chinese automaker’s 298-mile (480 km) official figure. Tesla’s Model 3 didn’t tell quite so big a lie, but it also failed to live up to its official range figures by a fairly large margin considering the tests weren’t carried out in the Arctic. The 274 miles (441 km) it achieved was 14 percent lower than Tesla’s 319-mile (513 km) claim.

Inconsistent Accuracy

But the big takeaway from the investigation isn’t that all EV range claims are wildly inaccurate. All five cars delivered fewer miles than advertized, and the BYD was wildly off. But one of the cars very nearly matched its official range, falling just 5 percent short, and it’s this difference across the brands, and cross models within the same brand, that’s the real problem for consumers.

If they knew that every car over-promised by 20 percent, it would be easier to make buying decisions than it is when you’ve no idea which brands to believe. It’s for this reason that these kind of independent tests are so useful for buyers looking at spending tens of thousands of dollars on a new car.

Standout Performer

The AAA’s test champ was the Smart #3, whose 268-mile (432 km) true range was only 14 miles (23 km) out. Kia’s EV6 and the Tesla Model Y also performed relatively well, each returning 8 percent less range than claimed.

AAA

It’s no secret that the values of many EVs fall off a cliff the moment they leave the showroom. However, the original owner of this 2023 Tesla Model 3 RWD is probably shaking their head and wondering where things went wrong after the car lost more than half of its value in just over 18 months and 35,500 miles (57,100 km).

Read: Tesla’s Latest Model 3 And Y Just Got Slammed

As an entry-level Model 3 RWD, this Tesla is fitted with its relatively small 57.5 kWh battery pack. However, it still gives the EV a respectable driving range of 272 miles (438 km), while sending juice to an electric motor with 271 hp and 310 lb-ft (420 Nm).

For most motorists out there, this is more than enough performance and more than enough range, particularly for a daily driver.

Not the Newest Version, But Still Well Equipped

As this is a 2023 Model 3 having being acquired new in late December of the same year, and not the updated Highland version, it misses out on he upgraded interior, as well as the more attractive new styling. But, that’s not to say it’s short on features, as it includes 18-inch wheels, the standard panoramic glass roof, heated front and rear seats, and the central 15-inch infotainment display.

Cars & Bids

Depreciation Hits Hard

The car was recently listed for sale through Cars & Bids with an original sticker price of $41,890. After attracting well over a dozen bids, it sold for a paltry $20,300. That’s some severe depreciation, particularly since the car is less than two years old.

Admittedly, it does have high mileage for its age, but 35,500 miles (57,100 km) is still relatively low for a used car, particularly one that’s worth just a touch over $20,000.

There’s no doubt that the arrival of the Model 3 refresh has impacted the resale value of original Model 3s. In addition, Elon Musk and the Tesla brand have become more divisive over the past year or so, due in large part to Musk’s deep involvement in politics.

Cars & Bids

Even if opinions on Tesla and its billionaire CEO are sharply divided, there’s little debate over the company’s track record in building some of the most capable electric vehicles on the road.

Alongside the cars themselves, Tesla also maintains a wide catalog of accessories, many of which are affordable, easy to install, and ship directly to buyers. The newest addition to that lineup may not be a technological leap, but it’s likely to catch on with owners.

Read: California EV Buyers Are Turning Their Backs On Tesla

Tesla’s online shop was recently updated to include a front lighting system designed for the front of both the Model 3 and Model Y. Given how handy the front storage compartment of the two best-selling Tesla models is, it’s perhaps somewhat of a surprise they don’t usually feature any kind of lighting system. Come to think of it, many EVs with storage frunks don’t include a light, so Tesla’s solution is a good one.

The kit, costing $100 in the US or CA$130 in Canada, includes a thin lighting strip that runs along the underside of the frunk’s rubber seal. Also included in the kit is a small power module that sticks to an area near the frunk’s emergency release switch connector. It then plugs straight in. The light strip is held in place by tape and includes IP67 dustproof and waterproof ratings.

Compatibility Limits

Importantly, the lighting kit is only available for 2020-2024 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, meaning the newer ‘Highland’ Model 3 and ‘Juniper’ Model Y are not suitable for this kit. However, Not a Tesla App reports that a similar kit is being developed for these models.

As mentioned, there are dozens of other accessories offered for all Tesla vehicles, including the slower-selling Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. Among the most popular are roof racks, all-weather floor liners, sunshades for Tesla’s panoramic glass roofs, and new storage cubby trays.

Ever since Tesla’s inception, California has been one of its most important markets, thanks to the state’s progressive policies and deep commitment to electric vehicles. While California remains hugely important for Tesla, new registrations continue their decline for the seventh straight quarter. Alarm bells should be ringing at Tesla HQ.

Read: Tesla’s European Sales Bloodbath Continues, But One Country Is Over Hating Musk

Data from the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) shows that 41,138 new Tesla registrations were recorded across the state in the second quarter. That’s a significant 21.1 percent decline from Q2 in 2024 and was no doubt caused in part by Musk’s continued involvement in politics, including forming the new America Party.

Sales Slide Continues Into 2025

The picture doesn’t improve when looking at year-to-date figures. Tesla’s California sales for the first half of 2025 are down 18.3 percent compared to the same timeframe last year. To reverse course, Tesla may need to accelerate the rollout of its rumored budget-friendly, stripped-down Model Y, a move that could help re-engage cost-conscious buyers, especially with the $7,500 federal tax credit set to expire on September 30.

While Tesla’s sales in California continue to fall, the Model Y and Model 3 are still the best-selling new EVs in the state. This year, a total of 44,112 Model Ys have been registered in California, while 31,394 Model 3s have also found new homes. The next best-selling hybrid, PHEV, or ZEV model is the Toyota Camry Hybrid, shifting 30,464 units over the same period.

Behind the Model Y and Model S, the third best-selling EV in California is the Hyundai Ioniq 5, with 7,498 examples sold through the first half. That positioned it ahead of the Honda Prologue with 5,931, the Ford Mustang Mach-E with 5,594, the Chevrolet Equinox at 5,584, and the BMW i4 with 5,396 units registered.

Tesla’s declining numbers stand in contrast to broader industry gains. Toyota, for example, saw its second-quarter sales in California rise 9.8 percent, from 78,964 to 86,683 vehicles. Honda also posted a 9.3 percent increase, jumping from 49,651 to 54,278 registrations over the same period.

Tesla still commands a 40+ percent share of the US EV market, but demand is down 11 percent Jan-June, and it’s not only declining new car sales that are causing alarm. The brand also dominates a list of the used cars whose value is dropping hardest.

Related: Tesla Suddenly Wants You To Buy Now After Years Of Opposing EV Credits

The Elon Musk-headed automaker bagged four spaces in the top 10 list of biggest losers collated by the data crunchers at iSeeCars, and a fourth Tesla also found its way onto the chart.

Including one other brand’s value-shedding model, EVs accounted for five of the 10 cars judged to have shed the biggest percentage of their value in 10 months. And that’s despite electric vehicles only accounting for 3.3 percent of the 1- to 5-year-old used market.

Tesla Tops the List of Falling Used Car Values

The study found the Model S suffered the biggest percentage price drop – though not the biggest dollar drop. The sedan’s average price in June 2025 was $46,700, which is 15.8 percent or $8,800 lower than it was 12 months earlier.

The Model X SUV actually lost more money – $9,500 – but due to its higher initial price, that drop only represented a 15.5 percent fall, putting it in second place. Third spot went to the Model Y, which fell $4,600 or 13.6 percent, probably in part due to the arrival of a facelifted version of the SUV this spring.

TOP 10 USED CAR PRICE DROPS

The Model 3’s value slid 9.4 percent, putting it in sixth spot, behind the fourth-place Ford Explorer hybrid (down 10 percent) and Jeep Gladiator (fifth place, down 9.6 percent). And Porsche’s Taycan lost 7 percent of its value, earning it eighth place, meaning all five of the EVs on the list lost far more than the average EV, whose value fell by 4.8 percent.

Sandwiched between the Model 3 and the Taycan is the Maserati Levante (seventh place, down 7.9 percent), and the top 10 is rounded out by the Chrysler Voyager (ninth, down 6.6 percent) and Lincoln Aviator (tenth, down 5.9 percent).

Used EV Values Lag Behind the Market

All five EVs on the list fell significantly more than the average for used electric vehicles, which dropped just 4.8 percent. By contrast, used internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles actually gained in value slightly, up 5.2 percent on average over the same 12-month period.

The study appears to show that American consumers are less interested in EVs as used cars, and that sentiment is likely to carry over into future years as this September’s scrapping of EV tax credits begins to take effect and the ripples are felt in the used market.

Nowhere is Tesla facing tougher EV competition than in China, a market that has rapidly evolved into a hotbed of electric innovation. While the company maintains a commanding lead in the US, it finds itself contending with a far more crowded and fast-moving landscape in China.

Dozens of EV-only brands are racing to roll out new models at remarkable speed, constantly pushing the envelope in design, technology, and value. To stay competitive, Tesla is preparing to introduce a new version of the Model 3 in China, known as the Model 3+.

Read: Tesla Model Y And 3 Get Surprising Speed And Range Upgrade In China

Details first emerged when Tesla filed for a local sales license for this upcoming variant. The name might suggest something more performance-focused than the current Model 3 Performance, but that’s not quite the case.

Instead, this new version is expected to offer the longest driving range of any Model 3 to date. Further insight came through China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which recently released data shedding light on what to expect from the Model 3+.

Rear-Wheel Drive, Upgraded Battery

For starters, the new model will be sold exclusively in rear-wheel drive guise. However, whereas the current entry-level RWD model in China has a small 62.5 kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery from CATL, the Model 3+ uses a more expensive NMC battery from LG.

Tesla already sells an NMC-powered Model 3 in the country, the Long Range version, but that model is only available with all-wheel drive. It’s equipped with a 78.4 kWh battery pack and delivers a CLTC-rated range of 468 miles (753 km). By combining the energy density of an NMC pack with the efficiency of a single-motor, rear-drive setup, the Model 3+ is expected to stretch its range even further.

It remains to be seen whether the Model 3+ will use the exact same 78.4 kWh battery as the Long Range AWD version, but it’s likely. Notably, Tesla already offers a Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive Model 3 in the US fitted with a slightly larger 79.7 kWh NMC pack, which adds weight to the possibility.

It’s understood that the Model 3+ will offer up as much as 497 miles (800 km) of range on the generous CLTC cycle, matching the longest range version of the Xiaomi SU7. We expect to see it released in the coming months and for more details to be provided then.

Tesla fans get really excited when new features, trials, or beta programs arrive. That’s probably why very few people realized that a post on Reddit was just a prank by an overeager owner. They reported a birthday reward email supposedly from Tesla offering a 30-day horsepower boost. It turns out that before realizing it was a hoax, many took the chance to bash the US EV maker and other brands for paywall-blocked features.

More: Rivian Will Make You Pay For Extra Power And Range Your EV Already Has

Posted on Reddit’s Tesla Model 3 forum, the main feature was an image. It appeared to be an email directly from Tesla. “Happy Birthday! We are delighted to offer you an exclusive birthday gift: +50 Extra Horsepower,” it said. “Your Tesla has been upgraded with an additional 50 horsepower, effective for the next 30 days.”

A Convincing Fake

At first glance, it looks legitimate. The script looks realistic, the grammar is fine, and it appears to come from no-reply@Tesla.com. That was more than enough to fool several people. The top comments are full of people assuming it’s real. Some ask about future programs based on the idea, others joke about changing their birthday in the Tesla app, and others comment on their excitement about it.

At the same time, it left some fans feeling disillusioned and annoyed. Several made comments to that effect. “…is it just me that thinks that’s absolutely ridiculous? If I have the hardware, why would I pay to use the hardware? That’s like buying a computer with 16gb of ram, only having 12, and then getting an email “unlocking” the other 4gb for 30 days.

“Just… stupid. Either sell me the car without the extra horsepower (so, without the hardware that makes it possible)… or let me use all the horsepower it can produce. This is just… awful,” said one. After another commented on how cool it was that you could download extra horsepower, another responded, “You mean mildly infuriated it’s locked behind a paywall.”

A Familiar Practice

Of course, in this case, the birthday gift wasn’t real, but it’s not as if Tesla doesn’t offer similar products. As of this writing, buyers can unlock features that the hardware they own is already capable of, like additional range or speed.

Notably, Tesla is far from the only brand to offer this sort of thing. Several brands offer similar ‘subscription services’, from extra power to adaptive suspension. Unless buyers unite to condemn this type of practice, it’ll probably never end.

Credit: glebulon / Reddit

Any investors praying Tesla’s awful sales performance in the first quarter of 2025 was merely a blip have just had their hopes dashed. The troubled automaker announced its Q2 numbers and they show an even bigger year-over-year decline than the ones covering January to March.

Also: A Model Y Drove 30 Minutes To Deliver Itself To Its New Owner

Global deliveries declined 14 percent in Q2, falling from 410,244 to 384,122, making the most recent quarter’s performance marginally worse than Q1’s. For that period Tesla recorded a 13 percent drop after sales sunk by 50,000 to 336,681 units.

Sales Still Centered on Model 3 and Model Y

Tesla didn’t offer a complete breakdown of its Q2 numbers by model or region, but it did reveal that the Model 3 and Model Y accounted for practically all of its sales. The automaker delivered 373,728 Model 3 and Y EVs, and only 10,394 of its other cars, which include the Model S, Model X and Cybertruck, combined. The electric automaker also said it produced over 410,000 vehicles of all types.

Although delivery figures aren’t exactly the same as sales numbers, they’re close enough to give us a solid idea of the problems faced by Tesla, and the buying public’s apathy for its cars. Those problems include widespread dislike of Tesla CEO Elon Musk due to his vocal right-wing opinions and association with DOGE and the Trump administration, which is one of the reasons sales have cratered in Europe in recent months.

TESLA Q2 SALES

Intensifying Competition in China and Beyond

And in China, a key market for Tesla, the American brand is battling against a slew of hi-tech rivals that seem intent on pushing prices downwards to the detriment of profitability. Some of those same Chinese rivals are also now causing Tesla problems in other markets. In April BYD sold more EVs than Tesla in Europe, where the Model Y and 3 are struggling to regain their sales form despite recent facelifts.

Although Tesla’s Q2 performance looks dire, the figures aren’t as bad as some analysts had feared. And Deepwater Asset Management’s Gene Munster predicted the quarter represented a bottoming out for Tesla, which could bounce back in future periods, CNBC reports. Tesla will announced its complete Q2 financial results on July 23.

Tesla’s new Model Y only made its debut a few months ago, but faced with flagging sales and aggressive rivals, the automaker is already making changes to make it and the Model 3 more appealing to buyers – specifically Chinese buyers.

Long Range AWD versions of the facelifted Model Y and Model 3 sold in China now go further on a charge and are faster from stoplights thanks to minor tweaks announced this week. Without changing the size of the battery, Tesla now claims the Y can do 466 miles (750 km) on a single charge, up from 447 miles (719 km) under China’s CLTC testing cycle.

Related: A Model Y Drove 30 Minutes To Deliver Itself To Its New Owner

And the Model 3 enjoys an even bigger boost, gaining 25 miles (40 km) to take total claimed range to 468 miles (753 km), though these numbers are Chinese CLTC figures and not comparable with more honest EPA estimates. Tesla quotes 327 miles (526 km) for a US-spec Y LR AWD and 346 miles (557 km) for a Model 3.

The Model 3 is also much faster following Tesla’s spec adjustment, needing just 3.8 seconds to hit 62 mph (100 km/h), rather than 4.4 seconds. It’s not clear how this was achieved, but Car News China speculates it could be because Tesla has made standard the Sports acceleration feature that was previously a ¥14,100 ($2,000) option.

The Model Y is far less speedy, requiring 4.3 seconds. Neither of those acceleration figures matches up with the numbers Tesla advertises in Europe, where the Model 3 claims a 4.4-second 0-62 mph time, but the Y is said to need 4.8 seconds.

The upgrades come at no extra cost on the Model Y, which stickers at ¥313,500 ($43,800), but they add ¥10,000 ($1,400) to the price of a Model 3 Long Range AWD, which is now ¥285,500 ($39,900). For context, the equivalent Model Y in the US is $2,310 cheaper than in China, though only when factoring in the $7,500 federal tax credit, while the Model 3 is just $90 more expensive.

It remains to be seen whether these upgrades will make their way to other markets. Tesla hasn’t confirmed any plans yet, but buyers in Europe and North America will likely be watching closely to see if the same range and performance improvements roll out beyond China.

Tesla

Even as the global car market continues to shift, one thing remains certain: Toyota knows how to move metal. After a brief detour in second place, the Toyota RAV4 is back on top as the world’s best-selling car, edging out the Tesla Model Y by a sliver.

And it’s not just the soon-to-be-replaced RAV4 doing the heavy lifting, as Toyota has managed to land five models in the global top ten, including the Corolla Cross, Corolla sedan, Hilux, and Camry.

More: New RAV4, See Every Angle And Hidden Detail

This ranking comes from industry analyst Felipe Munoz, who compiled a detailed snapshot of 2024’s global car sales by model. His methodology pulls from a wide mix of sources, including national statistics offices, dealership associations, customs data, specialized websites, blogs, other analysts, and informed estimates. According to Munoz, the ranking covers 153 markets, accounting for roughly 99% of all cars sold globally.

Toyota Retakes the Lead, Barely

Combined sales of the Toyota RAV4 and its China-market twin, the Wildlander, reached 1,187,000 units in 2024. That was just enough to slide past the Tesla Model Y, which landed at 1,185,000 units. It’s a narrow win, but a win nonetheless.

It’s important to note that both the RAV4 and Model Y were refreshed shortly after the period covered by this report. Toyota rolled out a full redesign for the RAV4, that hasn’t gone on sale yet while Tesla introduced its updated Model Y Juniper that’s already available.

That said, the Model Y still holds the title for best-selling EV worldwide by a comfortable margin. Its 2025 numbers, however, are already showing signs of slowing.

Compact Crossovers Keep Climbing

The Toyota Corolla Cross occupied the third place with 859,000 sales, benefiting from the fact it is offered in many different markets around the world. The compact crossover was closely followed by the Honda CR-V/Breeze SUV that sold 854,000 units.

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A post shared by Felipe Munoz | Automotive (@carindustryanalysis)

Toyota’s dominance continues with the Corolla / Levin Sedan (697,000 units) in the fifth place and the Toyota Hilux (617,000 units) in the sixth place.

World’s Best Selling Pickup

The aging Hilux is due for a new generation soon, but that didn’t stop it from becoming the world’s best-selling pickup. Despite not being sold in North America or China, two massive truck markets, it still managed to outpace all competitors. Right behind it in the global rankings is the Ford F-150, which sold 595,000 units and claimed seventh place overall. In the US, the F-150 was the second best-selling vehicle of 2024, coming in just behind the RAV4.

More: Cracks Are Beginning To Appear In China’s Largest EV Maker

Rounding out the top ten are three sedans that continue to hold their ground in a market that increasingly leans toward crossovers and SUVs. The Toyota Camry took eighth with 593,000 sales, followed by the Tesla Model 3 at 560,000 and the BYD Qin at 502,000. BYD’s entry marks the only Chinese brand on the list this year, underscoring the company’s steady rise as a global competitor in both EVs and internal combustion vehicles.

Tesla is no stranger to recalls in the United States, but more often than not, its vehicles can be fixed with a simple over-the-air software update. However, that’s not the case with their latest recall, which will require owners to return their cars to a store or service center to be fixed. Making things worse for Tesla is the fact that the recall is for the brand-new 2026 Model Y and Model 3.

A safety report reveals that one or more fasteners joining the seat back to the seat base may not have been torqued correctly during assembly. Owners of vehicles with the defect may now have a loose or rattling seat. Unsurprisingly, the NHTSA and Tesla have determined this poses a safety risk in the event of a crash, prompting a recall.

Read: Tesla Starts 2025 With Recall For 240,000 EVs, Some May Need New Computers

Fortunately for Tesla, the recall only impacts 48 vehicles in the United States, of which just 2.1% are estimated to contain the defect. Cars being recalled include 30 Tesla Model Ys built between April 3, 2025, and May 7, 2025, as well as 18 Model 3s manufactured from Apr 3, 2025, to April 16, 2025.

The NHTSA recall reveals the fault could affect either the driver or front passenger seat, or both. Tesla became aware of an issue on May 12 after it received a customer complaint. It was quickly determined that 2 of the 4 fasteners used to secure the seat back to the seat bottom on the driver’s seat were completely missing.

Tesla claims to have pinpointed the root cause of the issue. It states that on April 2, 2025, a production change at the factory made it possible to manually advance the seat assembly from the backup manual assembly station without the system having to verify that the fasteners were present or torqued correctly.

Owners impacted by the recall will be notified on August 16. Dealers have been instructed to inspect the seat assemblies and, if necessary, replace any missing or incorrectly tightened fasteners.

Imagine setting your semi-autonomous vehicle to take the wheel, only to have it veer off the road and onto active train tracks. At least that’s what one Tesla Model 3 driver claims happened during an early morning drive. While everyone inside the car escaped unharmed, the driver wasted no time pointing fingers at the car’s Full Self-Driving system after the incident.

More: Deadly Tesla Crash Raises Questions About Vision-Based Self-Driving Systems

Western Berks Fire Commissioner Jared Renshaw told local news outlet WFMZ that the car, “Went down the tracks approximately 40-50 feet.” According to the driver’s account, the Tesla apparently mistook the train tracks for a road and followed them as if that were a normal route. Renshaw added that the driver claimed the vehicle was in Full Self-Driving mode at the time.

A Close Call with a Passing Train

The incident occurred around 5:30 a.m., and just minutes later, a train passed by and clipped the Tesla’s mirror. Fortunately, by that point, all occupants were out of the vehicle and in a safe location. Even so, the track had to be temporarily shut down to allow crews to remove the car without risking further incidents.

According to Spitlers Garage and Towing, which posted photos of the recovery on its Facebook page, a specialized rig was needed to handle the job. The team there used a rotating crane to lift and extract the Model 3 without additional damage. Based on photos from the scene, it wouldn’t be too surprising if the Tesla managed to drive away.

Plenty of Questions, Not a Lot of Answers

Photos Spitlers Garage & Towing’s / Facebook

It’s important to note here that there are a great many details missing from this account.For starters, there are no direct quotes or context from the driver. While FSD is certainly failable, it would be very strange for it to do what the driver alleges. Not only would it have to disregard the GPS coordinates of the road itself, but it would also call into question what the driver was doing.

Did they not think to stop the car when it started to go around the train barrier? Why not hit the brakes when it first turned onto the train tracks? Why wait til it was several yards down the track?

Also, don’t forget that Tesla doesn’t market Full Self-Driving as an autonomous chauffeur. It markets it as a supervised system, one that still needs a human behind the wheel, paying attention. Here’s what Tesla’s own manual says:

“Like other Autopilot features, Full Self-Driving (Supervised) requires a fully attentive driver and will display a series of escalating warnings requiring driver response. You must keep your hands on the steering wheel while Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is engaged.While Full Self-Driving (Supervised) is engaged, the cabin camera monitors driver attentiveness (see Driver Attentiveness).“

There are just too many questions here to blindly believe that this was completely the result of Full Self-Driving on its own. We’ve reached out to Commissioner Renshaw for additional details and will update you here if we hear back.